Legislature(2001 - 2002)
2002-06-24 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2002-06-24 House Journal Page 4021 HB 404 The following was engrossed and enrolled, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, President and Secretary of the Senate, and the engrossed and enrolled copies were transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 1:29 p.m., June 24, 2002: CONFERENCE CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 404 "An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date." The following letter, dated June 24, 2002, from Senator Donley, Conference Committee Chair, Representative Mulder, Vice Chair, to Ms. Caren Robinson, Chair, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority was also transmitted to the Office of the Governor: "Dear Ms. Robinson: In accordance with AS 37.14.005(c), this letter explains the changes made to the Governor's Amended comprehensive FY 03 mental health and developmental disabilities services budget proposal as approved by the Legislature in CCS HB 404. 2002-06-24 House Journal Page 4022 We appreciate the good working relationship that has been established between the Trust and the Legislature. It enabled us to address many issues in creative and efficient ways that would not otherwise be possible. As you are aware, the total state FY 03 general fund budget was reduced relative to FY 02. The legislature's FY 03 general fund/mental health appropriation of $130,399,900 is approximately $3 million less than FY 02. However, $3.6 million in general fund/mental health funds were replaced with new alcohol tax revenues and $586,000 was reappropriated to Pioneer Homes, thus the total funding for these programs is above the FY 02 level while the total state general fund budget was reduced. MHTAAR funds appropriated for operations and capital were less than the FY 02 level as available investment income earnings were reduced. The total comprehensive program as approved by the legislature is $140,624,600 (plus the $3.6 million new alcohol tax revenue and $586,000 reappropriation to the Pioneer's Homes). Program Changes - Operating Department of Administration Longevity Programs Management The FY 03 GF/Mental Health appropriation to Pioneers Homes was reduced by $234,100 from the Governor's amended budget request. $586,000 was reappropriated from the FY 02 Longevity Bonus appropriation to Pioneer Homes which more than offsets the GF/Mental Health reduction. Senior Services The FY 03 GF/Mental Health appropriation to Senior Services was reduced by $3,600 from the Governor's amended budget request. Legal and Advocacy Services The FY 03 GF/Mental Health appropriation to Legal and Advocacy Services was reduced by $23,600 from the Governor's amended budget request. 2002-06-24 House Journal Page 4023 Department of Corrections The GF/Mental Health funding for the Department of Corrections is unchanged from the Governor's amended budget request. Department of Education and Early Development The GF/Mental Health funding in the Department of Education and Early Development was reduced by $700 from the Governor's amended budget request as part of an agency-wide unallocated budget reduction. Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner's Office The GF/Mental Health funding for the Commissioner's Office is reduced by $8,200 from the Governor's amended budget request. Purchased Services, Residential Child Care The GF/Mental Health funding for Residential Child Care is reduced by $50,000 from the Governor's amended budget request. Funding for Residential Child Care is largely refinanced through Medicaid in the FY 03 budget. State Health Services The GF/Mental Health funding for the Maternal, Child and Family Health is reduced by $4,000 from the Governor's amended budget request. The GF/Mental Health funding for Community Health Grants is increased by $98,300 from the Governor's amended budget request. The GF/Mental Health funding for the Infant Learning program is reduced by $550,000 from the Governor's amended budget request, the Department of Health and Social Services indicated in budget impact statements that if the Infant Learning Program was changed to a needs based program that savings up to $1 million could be achieved. This reduction was made with the direction that the program be operated as a needs based program. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Grants A total reduction of $4,864,100 in GF/Mental Health funding was taken by the Legislature relative to the Governor's amended budget request in this component. The Legislature replaced $3.6 million of this GF/Mental Health funding with new alcohol tax revenues. 2002-06-24 House Journal Page 4024 Community Mental Health Grants Psychiatric Emergency Services GF/Mental Health Funding was reduced by $195,800, Services to the Chronically Mentally Ill by $369,700, Designated Evaluation and Treatment by $34,400 and Services to Seriously Emotionally Disturbed Youth by $186,600 relative to the Governor's amended budget request. These reductions reflect increased use of Medicaid and direct federal grants to providers for the provision of these services. Institutions and Administration The Legislature denied an increment of $425,600 to the Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities Administration. The Legislature approved an increment of $1,843,600 GF/Mental Health to the Alaska Psychiatric Institute to replace lost federal funding this was $7,300 less than requested by the Governor. Mental Health Trust Boards The Legislature funded the Mental Health Trust Boards at the level 2.3% ($34,300) below that requested by the Governor. We believe the board should use MHTAAR funds for its activities as those funds become available. Program Changes - Capital Alaska Psychiatric Institute Stop - Gap Repairs The stop gap repairs for API were reduced in consultation with the Trust as a result of the passage of HB 76 in 2001 which will replace the current facility. Deferred Maintenance of Rural Facilities for Substance Abuse or Substance Abuse/Mental Health Programs The GF/Mental Health appropriation was reduced from $400,000 to $200,000. Rural Facility Renovation and Deferred Maintenance The GF/Mental Health appropriation was reduced from $400,000 to $200,000. 2002-06-24 House Journal Page 4025 Department of Health and Social Services As was done for FY 02, the grants for public health services, alcohol and drug abuse services, developmental disability services, mental health services, and community health were moved to a single appropriation rather than designated grants in separate appropriations. The legislature believes that this will allow better management of the grants and open the opportunity for innovative proposals. The amount of grant funding available for these services remains at the level requested by the governor. Enclosed is a copy of component summaries provided by the Legislative Finance Division identifying each of the referenced adjustments by agency, budget request unit and component. Sincerely, /s/ Senator David Donley Conference Committee Chair /s/ Representative Eldon Mulder Conference Committee Vice-Chair Enclosures"